by Sherry Knight

Unearthed from museum archives, prison records, newspapers, state archives, and university collections throughout the Southwest comes this true, frontier tale of a man from Hill County, Texas.

Strong-willed, handsome, and an accomplished musician, Tom P Varnell is the son of Francis La Docia and Isaac Varnell, a determined, hardworking ranch family. Isaac's murder in 1876 leaves Docia, Tom and his sisters to make their own way, and a young Tom P to forge his own code of honor. One evening in 1883, Tom and a friend attend a party hosted by the daughters of Jonah Land. Tom's wiles woo Ella away from the party, and he soon finds himself with a gun in his hand and Mr. Land shot. Charged with rape and murder, Tom, labeled a notorious desperado, flees as a wanted man.

The ensuing events take Tom across Texas to the New Mexico Territory and back. Love, betrayal, revenge, trials, escapes, and family loyalties fill the pages and read like an old-time, wild west tale. Tom P's Fiddle is an entertaining blend of historical authenticity and Knight's descriptive narrative. Through the context of real events occurring over a century ago, she sheds light on a media-influenced society bent on imposing moral standards and the impact that can have on a jury verdict and the ultimate outcome of a man's life. The surprising finale caps the convergence of factors that illustrate life's unexpected twists and turns.